Assistant prosecutors in and for the respective counties may be appointed by the prosecutors of such counties as hereinafter provided, who shall hold their appointments at the pleasure of the respective prosecutors, and shall, before entering upon the performance of the duties of their appointments, take, before a judge of the Superior Court or the Clerk of the Superior Court of the county in and for which they are appointed, an oath or affirmation to faithfully perform the duties of the office to the best of their ability.

a. In counties of the first class, the county prosecutor may appoint 15 assistant prosecutors, one of whom shall be designated as first assistant prosecutor.

b. In counties of the second class, the county prosecutor may appoint six assistant prosecutors, one of whom shall be designated as first assistant prosecutor.

c. In counties of the fifth class and counties of the third class having a population in excess of 120,000, the county prosecutor may appoint three assistant prosecutors, one of whom may be designated as first assistant prosecutor.

d. In all other counties the prosecutor may appoint one assistant prosecutor who may be designated first assistant prosecutor.

Creation of new or additional positions of assistant prosecutor as authorized by paragraphs a. through d. of this section, as hereby amended, shall require authorization by the governing body of the county.

Assistant prosecutors in addition to those provided for in paragraphs a. through d. of this section may be appointed by the county prosecutor in any county of the State where there appears to be a reasonable necessity therefor, if approved by order of the assignment judge and by resolution of the governing body of the county.

L.1951 (1st SS), c.344; amended by L.1961, c. 41, p. 413, s. 2; L.1981, c. 462, s. 12.